Muhammad and the Jews

Critically evaluate the relationship between Muhammad and the Jews:-

Two hundred years before the birth of Muhammad, Judaism was established in Medina/Yathrib. The Jews instituted their own society with major occupations such as making armors and jewelry. Since they were expert weapon makers, their business solely depended on war, so peaceful conditions in their area represented an economical downfall.

Long after Muhammad’s birth, and after his Hijra to Medina, the first state of Islam, he began to spread the message and gain converts. The new religious movement was not accepted upon the Jews. They preferred the idol worshippers over those who shared their beliefs of one existing God. Consequently, the prophet and his followers were warned to beware of them.

The three main Jewish tribes in Medina were Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Qurayza, and Banu Nadir. Banu Qurayza and Banu Nadir were allies of the tribe of Aws, while Banu Qaynuqa were allies of the tribe of Khazraj. Both tribes were rivals; however they contributed against the Muslims in the Battle of Badr. After the Muslims’ victory, Muhammad visited Banu Qaynuqa as an attempt to enlighten them with Islam using the miracle of Badr as the instrument. But of course, their over-inflated ego prevented them from considering the prophet’s argument. The situation was extremely tense. That was the general case in Medina between the Muslims and Jews due to local politics. Things weren’t about to get better, as a matter of fact, an upcoming event resulted in a fight between a Jewish group and a Muslim man. The fight basically occurred after a Jewish salesman insulted a Muslim woman. The Muslim man rushed to defend her when both parties ended up dying.

The Jews grasped this opportunity to evict the Muslim intruders from their territory. They themselves weren’t willing to fight them out, so they asked the help of Khazraj tribe, their allies. They gathered over 700 men to confront Muhammad once and for all. But their plotting was expected since he was told to beware of them, so what a disappointment it was for them (Jews) to find themselves surrounded by a larger more powerful army! Their only available option was to surrender, and surrender they did. After that, they were exiled up North away from Medina with a pact to ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Obviously, the first encounter between Muslims and Jews didn’t have pleasing results due to the Jews deceiving ways. Their intentions were clearly evil regardless of the peaceful basis the Muslims treated them by. This foreshadows more upcoming problems between them and Muhammad.

After the battle of Uhud, Muhammad visited the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir, asking for their help to pay blood-wite for their confederates, Bani Amir. They accepted his request and invited him to eat with them. While he was there, the angel Gabriel visited him to warn him about their plotting since they were actually planning to kill him. They had broken their pact so the prophet immediately left and a while later, he sent a messenger, Muhammad ibn Maslamah, to send them an ultimatum. They were to leave Medina at once; otherwise, Muhammad will spare any mercy he has on them. They should’ve obeyed him, yet they didn’t. Surely they believed that their Bedouin allies along with Bani Qurayza would support them, therefore, they sent to Muhammad that they shall not leave no matter what he does. That was the green light for the Muslims. The Jews have declared war. The prophet assembled an army that he led to the Jewish fortresses. It was the battle of Khaibar. Banu Qurayza had refused to break their pact with the prophet and Banu Nadir’s expectations of aid from other tribes were false. They were too weak to fight the Muslims; eventually they gave up and moved out of Medina.

Until now, two of the main Jewish tribes of Medina had betrayed Muhammad and broken their promises to him. Apparently, no matter how just and merciful the prophet is to them, their stubbornness and ancient ideas of being God’s chosen people will never vanish. It will only lead to their suffering and despair.

That wasn’t the end of plotting for the Jews of Banu Nadir, for they were determined to retrieve their lost land, and the only mean of doing that is by vowing allegiance to the Quraysh who were planning on killing Islam once and for all. If they were to win this new battle, they would need more allies. Banu Quraiza refused to break their pact with Muhammad and refused to help the Meccans. Since they (Meccans) have covered the region of south and east to attack Medina, the only area left is the north. That was the land of Banu Qaynuqa. They were hesitant to join the Meccans at first, but as soon as they observed their large army, they agreed under terms of having Meccan hostages in case Muhammad defeated them. However, the Meccans didn’t agree to their terms but Banu Qaynuqa joined them nonetheless.

As soon as Muhammad heard of the arriving Meccan army, he gathered an army to fight, but it wasn’t as large or as powerful as that of the Meccans. A Persian slave suggested digging a trench around Medina to protect the people. And so it was called battle of the Trench were the Meccans spent long days and nights striving to breach the trench in failed attempts. Finally, God sent strong wind and rain that drove them away.

In this battle, both Banu Nadir and Banu Qaynuqa betrayed Muhammad, so they both deserved what awaited them. Ultimately, the prophet requested killing 700 of the Jews and enslaving their women and children. That was their punishment for deceiving him.

The Jews of Medina were given multiple chances to live in peace and harmony with the Muslims, freely practicing their beliefs and attending to their jobs, except they chose to be arrogant and rejected the terms offered to them. Thus, they were obliged to be disciplined by Muhammad.

In conclusion, the relationship between the Jews and the Muslims resembled the relationship between fire and water. They could never get along unless compromises were made. In all cases, the water boiled, except in the case of Banu Qurayza were a deal was made to warm the water up without boiling it. They stayed loyal to the pact made with Muhammad. Generally, Muslims didn’t go along well with the Jews and their affairs were extremely chaotic and disturbed. They rarely ever accepted Islam and until this day, their relationship is somewhat complicated.

Done by: Lugein al Fayez